KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) seized 703 digital timepieces containing audio of all 30 juzuk (sections) of the Quran estimated to be worth RM230,000 in a raid at a premises in Batu Caves, Selangor.
KDN in a statement yesterday said that the raid which saw the arrest of two individuals was carried out by the ministry’s Enforcement and Control Division after it was found that the timepieces did not have KDN approval based on the requirements under the Printing of Qur’anic Text Act 1986.
“Any publication of the Qur’an in various forms that contain one or more sections of the Qur’an must first obtain KDN’s approval before being distributed or even sold in this country.
“Quranic material that does not have KDN’s approval is feared to have errors and could mislead the public through its pronunciation and recitation, and could distort the meaning of the verses,” read the statement.
KDN added that as of now, there were 952 final proofs of al-Quran texts including in electronic and digital form approved by KDN for sale and distribution in the country.
According to the statement, KDN will take strict action against any party involved in the importing, distributing and selling of al-Quran that violates the Printing of Qur’anic Text Act 1986.
The public is also advised not to get involved in any activity of buying and possessing al-Quran that was not approved by KDN, because if convicted, the party or individual could be punished with up to five years in prison or a fine of up to RM50,000 or both.
“KDN calls on the public to cooperate by channelling information related to the text and materials of the Quran without approval and unwanted publications by calling 03-8000 8000 / 8889 3145, email aduanpk@moha.gov.my or via the website www.moha.gov.my,” read the statement. – BERNAMA
